Improvement in machines for cutting roots



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICEo HIRAM C. FLETCHER, OF EDEN, VERMONT.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR CUTTING R-OOTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 35,928, dated July 22, 1862.

ings, lnaking a part of this specification, in

which- Figure 1 is a side sectional view ofiny invention, taken in the line x x, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corres, spending parts in the' several figures.

The object of this invention is to obtain a deyvice for cutting roots for the feeding of stock and other purposes which will be exceedingly simple, capableof being manufactured ata reasonable cost, and operate with less friction, and consequently with a less expenditure of power, than those previously constructed. n

To this end the invention consists in the employment or use of ahopper provided with inclined ends and parallel vertical sides, having their lower edges curved to form a portion of a circle, against which a box is fitted and works, said box havingthe cutters iittedin it, and being suspended from a roclcshaft, all arranged as hereinafter fully shown and described.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents a hopper, which is supported at a suitable height by any proper framing, B. This hopper is provided with inclined end pieces, a a, and parallel vertical side pieces b b 4the lower edges of the latter being rounded to form a portion of a circle, asshown at c in Fig. 1. A space Oropening, d, is allowed between the lower ends of the end pieces, a a, and in this space or opening a cross bar, C, is placed centrally, having itsends secured in the side pieces b b. This cross-bar extends down some distance below the lower ends of the end pieces, a a, as shown in Fig. 1.

To each side piece b of the hopper there is attached an upright, c, through the upper ends of which a shaft, D, passes, and to each end of said shaft a pendant, E, is attached. These pendants extend down one at each side ofthe hopper A, and are attached at their lower ends to a bar, F, to the upper surface of which there are secured two curved or segment side pieces ff the upper surfaces of which are in contact with Vthe lower curved surfaces, c, of the side pieces b b of the hopper, the curvature of the side pieces f f corresponding to the curvatures ce of the side pieces, as shown clearlyin Fig. 1.

To the upper surfaces of the side pieces f f of the bar F there are secured horizontally two knives or cutters, G G, one being at each side of the bar F and parallel with it, and to each side ofthe bar F there are secured a series of veitical knives or cutters, H, at equal distances apart. The upper edges of theknives or cutters H are in contact with the inner and cutting edges of the knives or cutters G, as shown in Fig. 1.

The upper surface of the bar F is made of concave form, having a curvature correspond ing to that of the side pieces ff, and the crossbar O in the space or opening d at'the bottom of the hopper just clears the upper surface of F. To the bar F there is attached a rod, I, which is connected to a hand-lever, J, at one side of the framing B.

The operation is as follows: The roots to be cut are placed in the hopper A, and a reciprocating motion is given the bar F and cutters G H by operating the lever J. The roots pass down on the bar F at each side of the cross-bar C, and are cuthorizontall y by the cut ters G and vertically by the cutters H, the bar C serving as a bearing to hold the roots while the critters are acting upon them. The cut roots are discharged between the cutters H. By this arrangement the cutters are operated with but little friction, in consequence of the bar F being suspended from the shaft D. The reciprocating cutter-slides, working in a plane, as hitherto devised, cause a great deal of friction even when the parts'are well made and properly adjusted together, for the resistance the roots make to the action of the cutters causes the slide to bear at one side or the other against its guides, a contingency which can not occur in my invention.

The cutters Hshould be rounded at their back parts-that is to say, be of elliptical forni in their horizontal section-in order to cut through the roots easily.

I do not claim, broadly, a reciprocating slide provided Vwith cutters for cutting roots, for parts to which the cutters are directly atthey have been previously used for that purtaehed-towit, the curved side pieces, ff, and pose; but i bar F-When Said parts are arranged with the I do claim as new and desire to secure by lower curved ends of the side pieces b b of the Letters Patenthopper7 to operate as set forth.

l. The cutters G H when connected to swinging pendants E, so arranged that the cutters IHRAM C FLETCHER' will move in the are of a circle, substantially Vitnesses: as and for the purpose set forth. LAVINIA L. FLETCHER, 2. The construction and arrangement ofthe LORENZA FLETCHER. 

